A live performance royalty is money paid to a songwriter every time one of their original compositions is performed publicly in a licensed venue.
Not when a recording plays. Not when someone streams it. When a human being performs the song — on a stage — in a place that has paid for the right to have music performed there.
Think of it like a vending machine rental. A bar pays a rental fee to the vending machine company, and every customer use generates a cut. Live performance royalties work similarly — the venue pays a license fee to a PRO, and every time a song is performed there, the songwriter gets a portion.
Where Does the Money Come From?
The money starts with the venue. Bars, clubs, concert halls, festivals, restaurants — any establishment where live music is performed is legally required to hold a license from their country's Performing Rights Organization.
In Canada that's SOCAN. In the US it's ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, or GMR. In the UK it's PRS. In Australia it's APRA AMCOS. Every country has one, and they all work together through reciprocal agreements.
How Does It Get to the Songwriter?
The PRO takes that pool of money and distributes it to the songwriters whose music was actually performed. But here's the critical part: the PRO has no way of knowing what songs were played unless someone tells them.
That's a setlist submission. After your show, you log into your PRO's portal and submit the songs you performed, the venue, and the date. The PRO matches it to the license fee paid and sends you your share.
If you don't submit, the money sits. Eventually it gets redistributed to artists who did submit — or absorbed into operating costs. See how much goes unclaimed every year →
Who Qualifies?
Do I have to be famous?
No. Any songwriter registered with a PRO who performs originals at licensed venues qualifies.
Does the venue have to be big?
No. Bars and small clubs qualify as long as they're licensed — and most are. SOCAN requires a minimum $10 cover. ASCAP/BMI have no cover requirement.
Do I need a label or publisher?
No. Self-published artists collect both the writer's share and the publisher's share — potentially doubling the royalty.
What about cover songs?
Covers generate royalties for the original songwriter, not you. Only your original compositions qualify.
What if I co-wrote the song?
Royalties split according to the writer shares registered with your PRO. 50/50 co-write = each writer gets half.
How Much Is It Worth?
Per original song, writer's share only. Self-published artists may collect up to 2× these figures.
When Do You Get Paid?
PROs distribute royalties quarterly, typically 6–10 months after the performance. SOCAN takes 8–10 months for most domestic performances. Think of it as money earned tonight that arrives next year — which makes consistent submission all the more important.
How Do You Start?
Join a PRO
SOCAN (Canada), ASCAP or BMI (US), PRS (UK), APRA AMCOS (Australia). Free or low-cost for songwriters.
Register your songs
Your PRO can only pay you for registered works. Add your catalog with co-writer splits.
Submit your setlists
After every show, log into your PRO portal and submit the songs, venue, and date.
Keep records
Some PROs require proof of performance. Keep ticket stubs, posters, or contracts for at least a year.
The capture step, automated
Setlistr listens during your show and automatically builds your setlist for PRO submission. Free to start.
Start Your First Show →